4th June 2025 - Meall Mor from Lochranza
Walk Details
Distance walked: 6.6 miles
Total ascent: 1994 ft
OS map used: 361 - Isle of Arran
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Lochranza-Arran Coastal Way-Catacol-Glen Catacol-Madadh Lounie-Meall Mor-An Stucan-Gleann Easan Biorach-Lochranza
I'm in Lochranza again for today's walk, and I've picked another route from one of my guidebooks. There's an improvement in the weather from yesterday, particularly a reduction in the strength of the wind, so I decided to take in Meall Mor, one of the smaller hills on Arran that can be seen from Lochranza. The route makes use of the Arran Coastal Way to reach Catacol, heads briefly up Glen Catacol, then crosses moorland to Gleann Easan Biorach via Meall Mor before heading back to Lochranza. The weather turned out to be better than I was expecting as apart from a couple of brief showers as I was walking from Lochranza to Catacol, the rest of the day had fair weather clouds and sunny spells. It was windy on the summit of Meall Mor though.
From where I parked my car in Lochranza I briefly walked west along the A841 towards the ferry terminal until I reached a track on the left signposted for the Arran Coastal Way to Catacol. I took this and followed the trail west across the hillside and down to Catacol, where I stopped for lunch. Break had, I left Catacol by walking south along the road to the bridge over Abhainn Mor, leaving it for a track on the left just before the bridge. I then followed the track and path south by the river until it curved away to the right, leaving it to make my way across to the foot of the ridge up Madadh Lounie, which I then climbed. As the gradient eased off I left the crags that lead up to Creag na h-lolaire and crossed the moorland to the east to reach Meall Mor. After taking in the view I left the northern end of the summit of Meall Mor, and made my way down across the moorland to the east above Gleann Easan Biorach to eventually reach the rocky knoll of An Stuchan. Another descent from here brought me to the footpath in Gleann Easan Biorach, which I followed north down to the Lochranza Distillery. I then made my way through Lochranza to where I'd parked my car.
Total ascent: 1994 ft
OS map used: 361 - Isle of Arran
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Lochranza-Arran Coastal Way-Catacol-Glen Catacol-Madadh Lounie-Meall Mor-An Stucan-Gleann Easan Biorach-Lochranza
I'm in Lochranza again for today's walk, and I've picked another route from one of my guidebooks. There's an improvement in the weather from yesterday, particularly a reduction in the strength of the wind, so I decided to take in Meall Mor, one of the smaller hills on Arran that can be seen from Lochranza. The route makes use of the Arran Coastal Way to reach Catacol, heads briefly up Glen Catacol, then crosses moorland to Gleann Easan Biorach via Meall Mor before heading back to Lochranza. The weather turned out to be better than I was expecting as apart from a couple of brief showers as I was walking from Lochranza to Catacol, the rest of the day had fair weather clouds and sunny spells. It was windy on the summit of Meall Mor though.
From where I parked my car in Lochranza I briefly walked west along the A841 towards the ferry terminal until I reached a track on the left signposted for the Arran Coastal Way to Catacol. I took this and followed the trail west across the hillside and down to Catacol, where I stopped for lunch. Break had, I left Catacol by walking south along the road to the bridge over Abhainn Mor, leaving it for a track on the left just before the bridge. I then followed the track and path south by the river until it curved away to the right, leaving it to make my way across to the foot of the ridge up Madadh Lounie, which I then climbed. As the gradient eased off I left the crags that lead up to Creag na h-lolaire and crossed the moorland to the east to reach Meall Mor. After taking in the view I left the northern end of the summit of Meall Mor, and made my way down across the moorland to the east above Gleann Easan Biorach to eventually reach the rocky knoll of An Stuchan. Another descent from here brought me to the footpath in Gleann Easan Biorach, which I followed north down to the Lochranza Distillery. I then made my way through Lochranza to where I'd parked my car.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
At the ferry terminal in Lochranza. It's brighter and definitely less windy than it was yesterday.
I leave Lochranza by taking the Arran Coastal Way up a track onto the hillside above
Looking back down across Loch Ranza
Following the Arran Coastal Way across the hillside towards Catacol..
To my right, views across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre
The headland on the other side of Catacol Bay appears ahead
Following the footpath down into Catacol..
A bench on the shorefront in Catacol provides a convenient place to stop for lunch
It gives me views across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre..
and across Catacol Bay to the rounded dome of Meall nan Damh rising to the south
The row of cottages known as the "Twelve Apostles"
The river of Abhainn Mor just before it enters Catacol Bay. I didn't cross the bridge over it but took the track that leaves the road on its northern side.
I soon pass an enclosure with information about the rare species of tree that are on Arran
This sapling with the silvery leaves is Rock Whitebeam. It isn't one of the three species unique to Arran.
Following the track up Glen Catacol. When the river bends to the right I'll leave it and make my way to the ridge in sunshine ahead.
A look up Glen Catacol to the crags of Creag na h-lolaire before I leave the river behind
Looking back to Catacol Bay as I reach a prominent boulder on the climb up the ridge
A bit higher up and I have a great view up Glen Catacol to Beinn Tarsuinn, with the crags of Creag na h-lolaire on the left and the eastern slopes of Meall nan Damh on the right
Another look back down to Catacol Bay and across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre
I've reached the crags of Madadh Lounie, as high up the ridge as I'm going. Looking south to the head of Glen Catacol, with the hills of Beinn Bhreac and Meall nan Damh on the right.
and down on Catacol Bay
Crossing the moorland to Meall Mor
Creagan nan Caorach to my left
Crossing the infant Abhainn Bheag
Climbing Meall Mor I look back across I've the moorland I've just crossed to Beinn Bhreac and Meall nan Damh
Approaching the summit cairn on Meall Mor
Taking in the view to Caisteal Abhail, A' Chir, Beinn Tarsuinn, and Beinn Nuis, with the dome of Beinn Bhreac in front on the right
At the summit cairn on Meall Mor
Taking in the view from Meall Mor. Looking east to Fionn Bhealach..
..and across the moorland of Clachan to North Glen Sannox
Caisteal Abhail, A' Chir, Beinn Tarsuinn, and Beinn Nuis to the southeast, with the dome of Beinn Bhreac in front behind the cairn
Beinn Bhreac (a different one), and Meall nan Damh to the southwest across Glen Catacol
Looking west across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre, with Catacol Bay just out of sight beyond the moorland below
Caisteal Abhail, A' Chir, Beinn Tarsuinn, and Beinn Nuis from the northern cairn on Meall Mor
From here I can now see Loch Ranza below. I'm going to make my way down to the right to get a better view.
Definitely better. Looking down on Loch Ranza and across to the Kintyre and Cowal peninsulas.
The crags of Torr Nead an Eoin on the other side of Gleann Easan Biorach
I've made my way a little further down the hillside to get an even clearer view of Loch Ranza and the village
Torr Nead an Eoin ahead after a steep descent from Meall Mor
Lochranza from the rocky knoll of An Stuchan
Descending the hillside to the path in Gleann Easan Biorach. Looking north and across Glen Chalmadale to Torr Meadhonach.
and up Gleann Easan Biorach to Caisteal Abhail..
Following the path down to the Lochranza Distillery
Torr Nead an Eoin from Lochranza
Lochranza Castle
A fine end to the afternoon in Lochranza